“When I walk through the dark valley of death . . You are close beside me.” Psalm 23:4 NLT
“Death interrupts, intrudes, but is little more than an inconvenient interlude before life forever.”
My thoughts today are about, “headed home.”
It is understandable that the one thing no one can avoid is exactly what you most dread to face. Death is inevitable; preparing to die may seem optional, but is it? I am not morbid as I write this today, but I have said goodbye to too many friends and family across my years of pastoring to ever take death lightly. Death is more than an inconvenient possibility; it is an inescapable reality. See Hebrews 9:27 NIV. The Bible calls death “the last enemy,” so why would anyone want to welcome it with open arms? See 1 Corinthians 15:25-26 NIV. Death interrupts your plans, intrudes upon life, but is little more than an inconvenient interlude before life forever.
People have an aversion to death, or thoughts of it, and there are good reasons that is true. You were created for eternal life not death, made in the image and likeness of God to enjoy life forever with your Creator. “He planted eternity in the human heart.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT. Something in every human heart rebels at any ending of that life. Into a perfect creation, sin intruded into God’s world and “sin brought death, so death spread to very man.” Romans 5:12/18-19 NLT/Genesis 2:15-16 NIV.
This week, I was asked to prepare for and lead a memorial service for a wonderful lady and church member of many years. My thoughts turned to the feelings with which her family would be dealing, and what I would share to honor her life and faith, as well as encourage her family and friends. Just hours later, a dear friend of many years asked to come by the office to speak with me. Knowing that he was coming from an important doctor’s appointment (is any doctor’s appointment unimportant, really?), I presumed he might have received less than encouraging news.
After several years of very difficult and demanding treatment, he and his wife listened as the doctor said the treatments had not accomplished what was hoped, and there was not much more treatment could offer. Of course, the news was disheartening. We talked about a few casual, everyday things as we had on occasions before, but also talked about the road ahead, practical questions to be answered and difficult realities to be faced. I listened as he expressed the concerns he would have. They were not about himself, but about his wife and family, and their needs and care.
And then he talked about his faith – unshaken, maybe even more sure – and we prayed and cried together. There were tears; there was no grief in that room. There was peaceful acceptance, of the love and providence of God; there was no resignation to death. Later, he said to his wife, “I don’t know the bumps ahead on this journey, but I do know it is headed home!” You cannot know all your journey holds, but you can know where the journey takes you – and your Shepherd is taking you home, with Him. “The Lord is my Shepherd . . when I walk through the dark valley of death . . You are close beside me . . protect and comfort me.” Psalm 23:1/4 NLT.
Going home! That journey is not frightening when you know home is where you belong, with people you love, and with the Savior who welcomes you there. See John 14:1-3 NKJV. Do not avoid or leave these most important questions without answers, “Have I put my faith in Jesus Christ alone? Where will I spend eternity?” Please read John 11:25-26 NIV.
My prayer for you today is that you live your life with the certain hope of life eternal.